National level development of geographic information e-training centre

Geographic information is increasingly used in practically all spheres of the state's life. National and regional geographic data and results of their combined spatial analysis are often crucial for sustainable development. However, handling and efficient use of geographic data requires rather specific skills. To satisfy Lithuanian Geographic Information Infrastructure needs, geographic information managers should be educated by professional educational bodies. However, the existing curricula are inconsistent and hardly match even the basic needs of geographic information managers in Lithuanian state institutions and municipalities. The first attempt to improve the situation is a specialised full in-service training curriculum, with nine distant learning courses matching MSc level requirements. The main objective of the proposed geographic information e-training centre is to develop and provide the modularised Spatial Information Infrastructure courses intended for Internet based learning. This mainly will target employees of civil service and private business in Lithuania and European Union. Minor target groups are unemployed specialists and ordinary students who have challenges to upgrade and improve their knowledge in geographic information application and technologies. Proposed curriculum is a set of modular courses adding up to a 1.5 year full time studies (120 credits in European Credits Transfer System - ECTS) in the field of Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Infrastructures. 13 courses are planned both in Lithuanian and English. Main advantages of Internet-based training, is increased accessibility in terms of both geographic location and time. This form of training suits very well even for the full-time employees, also for problematical groups in society. Another advantage is possibility to attend courses at distant education institutions which provide specific education not available at local institutions. New course modules encompassing specific fields of competence, which are not available in common geography/GIS educational programs, must be also developed in case of Geographic information infrastructures.